FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

QUARTERBACKS

Donovan McNabb, PHI – Fractured Rib

Donovan McNabb’s status for Week 2 is very questionable after the Eagles’ QB fractured a rib in Sunday’s game against the Panthers. McNabb was hurt when he was hit hard by Panthers’ defender Damione Lewis (a play the NFL has reviewed and deemed illegal) at the end of his 3-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. McNabb appeared to be in some discomfort on the sideline and he was eventually replaced by Kevin Kolb. According to reports X-rays in the locker room revealed a fractured rib and he was seen with ice wrapped on his chest after the game. Several news outlets have reported that McNabb is out for Week 2, however head coach Andy Reid has not ruled him out just yet. Reid said that McNabb could still play even if he misses every practice this week. The medical staff has advised Reid that the injury is a pain-tolerance issue and that McNabb could play if he can deal with the discomfort. But that is easier said than done. The Eagles have signed Jeff Garcia but will give Kolb the first look if McNabb is unable to play against the Saints. At this point it looks like this will come down to a game-time decision.

Josh McCown, CAR – Sprained Foot and Knee

Panthers’ QB Josh McCown has been placed on injured reserve and he will miss the remainder of the season because of injuries to his left foot and knee. McCown, who replaced a struggling Jake Delhomme in the second half, was injured when he was sacked in the fourth quarter. He was taken off the field on the cart and examined in the locker room. According to reports McCown suffered a minor sprain in his knee and more severe sprain in his foot. He was seen with crutches and a protective boot on his foot on Monday morning and he told reporters that his foot was bothering him the most. McCown was reportedly informed that his injuries would keep him out for up to 6 weeks, but since Delhomme was struggling the team couldn’t wait for McCown to get healthy and so they placed him on IR to open up a roster spot.

Tony Romo, DAL – Sprained Ankle

According to reports Cowboys’ QB Tony Romo should be able to practice this week and play next weekend against the Giants despite hurting his ankle in Sunday’s win over the Bucs. It isn’t clear when or how the injury happened but he was able to finish the game. Romo was seen limping in the locker room afterwards but he said that he was fine. Head coach Wade Phillips confirmed on Monday that Romo suffered a minor ankle sprain and that he expects his starting QB to practice later on in the week and play in Week 2.

Kurt Warner, ARI – Stinger

Cardinals’ QB Kurt Warner appeared to be dealing with a hand injury during Sunday’s game as he was seen shaking it on several occasions in the first half. But he apparently suffered a stinger when he was hit late in the second quarter and he experienced weakness and numbness in his right arm and hand. Warner told reporters that he received treatment in the locker room at half time and that he was fine for the second half. As expected the veteran QB was sore and stiff on Monday but team officials expect him to take part in practice on Wednesday and he should be in the starting lineup in Week 2.

RUNNING BACKS

Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC – Undisclosed Wrist Injury

Jaguars’ RB Maurice Jones-Drew did everything for his team in their close loss to the Colts this past weekend and he apparently suffered an injury as well. MJD walked into his press conference on Monday with his arm, wrist and hand wrapped. He did not provide any specifics regarding the injury but team officials don’t appear to be worried about his status. We’ll know more about his injury and status after Wednesday’s practice, but at this point it doesn’t appear to be serious.

Adrian Peterson, MIN – Dehydration

Vikings’ RB Adrian Peterson suffered from dehydration in the first half and it affected his performance. But after receiving fluids intravenously at half time he felt a lot better in the second half and played extremely well as a result. Peterson reportedly complained of fatigue and cramping in the second quarter and spent time on the sideline resting and recuperating. He had an IV in the locker room at the half and came out strong in the third quarter. The IV injection site began to bleed profusely in the second half and his jersey became a bloody mess, but trainers were able to stop the bleeding by using special wound glue. Peterson was reportedly feeling sore on Monday however team officials expect him to practice with the team on Wednesday. He will be fine.

Danny Ware, NYG – Dislocated Elbow

Giants’ RB Danny Ware will miss at least two weeks after dislocating his elbow on Sunday against the Redskins. Ware, who was injured returning the football on the opening kickoff, was in a tremendous amount of pain after getting hurt. The medical staff was able to reduce the dislocation but he did not finish the game. Ware had his arm in a sling while standing on the sideline in the second half. X-rays on his elbow were reportedly negative but it looks like he will miss at least a couple of games while he recovers.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Steve Breaston, ARI – Knee Inflammation

In a surprise move the Cardinals deactivated WR Steve Breaston after he complained of swelling and discomfort in his previously injured knee prior to kickoff. Breaston missed portions of training camp and the pre-season because of a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his knee, but he returned to practice two weeks ago and he was listed as probable for Sunday’s game. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt told reporters on Monday that the team expected Breaston to play and that his knee problem completely surprised the medical staff. There is speculation that Breaston aggravated his PCL injury during pregame warm-ups but the Cardinals have not said what caused his knee to swell. His status for Week 2 is currently unknown but don’t be surprised if he misses practice this week and is inactive for the second straight game.

Antonio Bryant, TB – Knee Soreness

Bucs’ WR Antonio Bryant surgically repaired knee reportedly gave him some trouble during Sunday’s game, however Bryant said that he did not aggravate it and that he expects to play next weekend against the Bills. Bryant told reporters that he missed the second half because of soreness in his knee. He made it clear that he didn’t reinjure the joint and said that it would probably take him a few more games before he was back to full strength. The medical staff will see how his knee responds to rest and treatment this week but it looks like the team expects him to play in Week 2.

Andre’ Davis, HOU – Concussion

Texans’ WR Andre’ Davis suffered a concussion during Sunday’s loss to the Jets and his status for Week 2 is questionable. Davis had his bell wrung when he was hit hard while tying to make a catch in the second half. According to head coach Gary Kubiak Davis was “not feeling very good” on Monday and although he is being listed as day-to-day team officials aren’t sure if he will be able to recover in time to play in their next game. Kubiak said that he expected Kevin Walter back in practice this week and in the starting lineup in Week 2.

Anthony Gonzalez, IND – Multiple Ligament Sprains

The Colts could be without WR Anthony Gonzalez for an extended period of time after Gonzalez suffered what is being called sprained right knee. Gonzalez suffered a “non-contact” injury in the first half of Sunday’s game as he turned to make a block. He immediately fell to the ground and grabbed his knee. He was examined on the field and taken back to the locker room where he was further evaluated and treated. The exact nature of the injury has not been made public, however team president Bill Polian said in an interview that Gonzalez suffered multiple ligament sprains and although the injury is not considered season-threatening he could still miss a significant portion of the regular season. The team is already looking at free agents to replace Gonzalez and there is a lot of speculation that the Colts could resign Marvin Harrison. We should know more about Gonzalez’s long-term status over the next couple of days.

Hakeem Nicks, NYG – Sprained Foot

Giants’ rookie WR will miss the next 2 – 3 weeks after an MRI on his injured foot revealed a minor sprain. Nicks, who was hurt in the second half of Sunday’s game, was seen with crutches and a protective boot on his foot while sitting on the sideline before the end of the game. There was some concern that his foot was either broken or severely sprained but X-rays were negative and the MRI ruled out the possibility of a Lisfranc sprain. Nicks said that his foot was sore on Monday but he was optimistic about his chances of playing in Week 3. He’s definitely out for Week 2, but we will know more about his Week 3 status next week.

IDPs

Reggie Hayward, DE, JAC – Fractured Fibula

Jaguars’ DE Reggie Hayward will miss the remainder of the season after breaking his left fibula in Sunday’s game against the Colts. Hayward was apparently hurt in the fourth quarter and head coach Jack Del Rio told reporters that he is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair the damage on Friday. Del Rio went on to say that the injury is not career-threatening and that he should make a full recovery in time for the 2010 off-season.

Jerod Mayo, LB, NE – Undisclosed Knee Injury

Patriots’ LB Jerod Mayo left Monday night’s game against the Bills with an undisclosed knee injury and he did not return. Mayo was hurt when a teammate stepped on his right knee during a run by Bills’ RB Fred Jackson in the first quarter. Mayo grabbed his knee and he appeared to be in some pain. He was taken back to the locker room where he was examined and treated and he did not return to the game. The exact nature and severity of the injury has not been made public and don’t be surprised if it never does. We won’t know about his Week 2 status until we see the practice reports on Wednesday.

Troy Polamalu, SS, PIT – Partially Torn MCL
Steelers’ SS Troy Polamalu will miss at least 3 weeks after partially tearing the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in the first half of last Thursday’s game against the Titans. Polamalu was hurt when his leg was bent awkwardly as he tried to recover the ball on a blocked field goal attempt. He limped back to the locker room where he was examined and did not return to the game. Additional testing has revealed that the MCL in his knee is partially torn and although the injury will not require surgery Polamalu has said that he expects to miss a minimum of 3 games. Depending on how quickly he recovers he could be out anywhere from 3 – 6 weeks. Needless to say he will not be active this Sunday.

Brian Urlacher, LB, CHI – Torn Wrist Ligament

Bears’ LB Brian Urlacher will reportedly miss the remainder of the season after he dislocated his wrist during Sunday night’s game against the Packers. Urlacher was hurt when he tackled RB Ryan Grant on a run in the first quarter. He held his wrist and he appeared to be in some discomfort but he stayed in the game and he finished out the half. He had the medical staff look at it in the locker room at half time and they apparently discovered that a bone in his wrist had dislocated. X-rays were negative, but he returned to the sideline in the third quarter wearing a brace. He did not play in the second half and held his hand up the entire time while on the sideline. According to reports additional testing on Urlacher’s injured wrist revealed a torn ligament and he has since undergone season-ending surgery to repair the dislocation and ligament damage.